legacycentral bbs

so after a new purge solenoid, knock sensor, back pain, and beer. I took soobie for the CA smog test and it didnt pass!!! lame but at least the CEL light doesnt come on anymore. I failed the Idle test heres my results can someone gice me some advice on what i should do.


RPM/ MEAS CO2 / MEAS o2 / HC PPM MAX..AVE...MEAS /
696 14.4 0.8 100 17 162

CO(%) MAX...AVE...MEAS/
1.00 0.00 0.31

The ones I failed is the HC (PPM) MAX and MEAS. so any ideas, I know this is alot but I appreciate any feedback

I'm not sure but it looks like it didn't pass the Hydrocarbons part.

Maybe a fuel system cleaner?

SC

High HC would be indicative of rich running condition... could be several things. However, have you ever replaced the O2 sensor? That would be my bet, all other things being equal (assuming that your plugs are new and at the correct gap, etc). What's your mileage like?

also try a sea foam treatment.

Maybe your cat could use a cleaning, or perhaps a new cat.

thats what the smog guys said i was running a little rich. i do need to change the oil probably a new fuel filter too. O2 sensor is just about 1 1/2 old so i dont think thats bad yet. The car has 155,xxx.

I would do all the routine maintenance. Also, if the coolant temp sensor is old and not reacting as quickly or properly it could be running rich. If you don't know the age of it, may want to replace it.

yeah they did say the car was running a little rich. The coolant temp to my knowledge is original. But sense ive changed the knock sensor, purge solenoid sensor, the CEL has gone off but now the car idles like crap sometimes and i cant figure out why?

Well, let's think...you had codes for knock sensor, purge solenoid sensor, MAF and IAC, CEL is out now and you have occasional crappy idle.

Could be an issue with idle air control. IDK if it would cause you to fail emissions test, but it's a thought.

Could be a air leak too!

Definitely look at replacing the CTS and possibly cleaning the o2 sensor at least.

At idle, you're so close to passing HC! usually bad sparkplugs/wires would give you no good readings on your idle test. i was blowing a 400+ ppm on HC, switched out my spark plugs only, and passed no problem.

I was at around 600 PPM HC at idle when I took my test and it was because my car was running too LEAN.

So maybe you should start looking at both ends. Do you by chance have a wideband?

no i dont have a wide band, but i just changed the oil and fuel filter and the car does run better, if it doesnt pass now ill change the coolant temp sensor.

The high HC readings indicate some kind of engine miss, as in your rough idle probably has something to do with it. If you were running too rich, your CO numbers would have been much higher, and conversely, CO numbers often read VERY low if you're too lean. As stated by others above, check your IAC as well as your plugs/wires.

ALWAYS rev your car up to 3K and hold it for 5-8 straight minutes before a smog test. Thats what the instructors @ my school always used to say ( when we had smog testing LOL) a HOT cat will make sure its working correctly.